The Collaborative International Dictionary
Underwrite \Un`der*write"\, v. t. [imp. Underwrote, Obs. Underwrit; p. p. Underwritten, Obs. Underwrit; p. pr. & vb. n. Underwriting.]
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To write under something else; to subscribe.
What addition and change I have made I have here underwritten.
--Bp. Sanderson. -
To subscribe one's name to for insurance, especially for marine insurance; to write one's name under, or set one's name to, as a policy of insurance, for the purpose of becoming answerable for loss or damage, on consideration of receiving a certain premium per cent; as, individuals, as well as companies, may underwrite policies of insurance.
--B. Jonson.The broker who procures the insurance ought not, by underwriting the policy, to deprive the parties of his unbiased testimony.
--Marshall.
Wiktionary
vb. (en-simple past of: underwrite)
WordNet
See underwrite
v. guarantee financial support of; "The opera tour was subvented by a bank" [syn: subvention, subvent]
protect by insurance; "The insurance won't cover this" [syn: cover, insure]
[also: underwrote, underwritten]